A high-level engagement between leaders of Grain SA, African Farmers' Association of South Africa (AFASA), Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and major agricultural banks highlighted challenges faced by farmers at Nampo, the largest agricultural exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere near Bothaville on Wednesday.
South Africa’s grain producers are facing mounting financial strain as soaring input costs, weak commodity prices and growing debt pressures squeeze profitability across the agricultural sector.
Industry leaders warned during a high-level engagement this week at the NAMPO Harvest Day exhibition near Bothaville in the Free State province.
Leaders from Grain SA, the African Farmers' Association of South Africa (AFASA), major agricultural banks and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen met to discuss growing concerns over the sustainability of grain farming and the future of agricultural financing in South Africa.
According to Grain SA, fertiliser and fuel costs now account for nearly 45% of total production expenses for many grain farmers, with fertiliser prices in some instances having surged by as much as 80%.
